In the mountains of Mexico, furniture designer and master weaver Mario Lopez Torres works with locally sourced organic materials to painstakingly craft complex and elegant decorative objects, tables and seating.
Originally from Mexico City, Torres apprenticed for his father, who was a professional photographer, and at 13 years old enrolled in a school for the fine arts, as he had by then become deeply interested in illustration and working with clay. At 20, Torres pursued a dream of designing furniture — specifically, weaving. He traveled to Altepexi, a municipality in Puebla, to learn how its artisans wove works from a wooden vegetable reed that is native to the region.
Torres sought mentorship from the prevalent artists Ana Pellicer and James Metcalf in order to learn how to work with metal, as he would need to create frames of brass and copper that supported his woven structures. Torres traveled to the United States to purchase metalworking equipment and went on to establish his own workshop in a small mountain village back in Mexico.
Torres put his hands and imagination to work — he harvested courses of chuspata, which is a reed that grows abundantly on the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro in Michoacán, and welded frames that the reed is woven around. He sold his first piece of furniture in 1974.
Today, Torres creates works that are characterized by his affinity for nature. His palm floor lamps feature woven rattan — a light and versatile material that can mingle with a wide range of styles — while the lifelike monkeys, birds and other animals that support his tables, table lamps or adorn his mirror frames are crafted from chuspata and take on whimsical poses. They create a playful, provocative presence in any space.
Find Mario Lopez Torres seating, lighting and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Antique “Jaguar Petite” Stool by Mario Lopez Torres - Mexico, circa 1970
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Sculptural “Jaguar Petite” zoomorphic stool designed by Mario Lopez Torres, a leading figure in 20th-century Mexican design working with natural fibers, circa 1970. The piece featur...
Iron
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Stool
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Stool, made in natural woven and iron structure, the eyes are made in brass. It has details on one ear and on the legs.
Iron
Mario Lopez Torres Wicker Panther Stool, Early 1970s
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Mario Lopez Torres Wicker Panther stool, Made in the early 1970s. Panther stool or could be used for a small table. The Panther has copper teet...
Wicker
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Monkey Console
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Original Mario Lopez Torres Monkey Console, made in natural woven and iron structure, Hecho en Mexico. The ...
Iron
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Elephant Box
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Original Mario Lopez Torres Elephant Box, made in natural woven and iron structure, includes original mark Mario Lopez Torres 1974 Hecho en Mexico.
Iron
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Petite Stool
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Petite Stool, made in natural woven and iron structure, the eyes are made in precious stone.
Iron
$1,007
H 17.72 in W 37.8 in D 13.78 in
Airisto Side Table and Bench, a Modern Scandinavian Wooden Design Piece
By Joanna Laajisto
Located in Halikko, Finland
Airisto bench with Joanna Laajisto. The Airisto collection's furnishings are multifunctional, they can be used as a side table, stool and a bench. The na...
Ash
French Wicker Diabolo Stool in Wicker, circa 1970
Located in Labrit, Landes
French stool made circa 1950. Very aesthetic and natural. Very good condition, this stool has been little used and well preserved. Solid and sound. Mid-century Shipping: 35 / 35 / ...
Wicker
$1,015 / set
H 13.78 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
1970s Spanish Handmade Pair of Wicker and Bamboo Low Stools
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s Spanish handmade pair of wicker and bamboo low stools.
Bamboo, Wicker
Pair Regency Style Black Steel Upholstered X-Stools, 1970's
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Regency style steel stools with X-form bases. The steel with a blackened textured finish. Upholstered in light brown faux leather. Quite comfortable and very sturdy, a moder...
Steel
$2,986
H 13.39 in W 47.25 in D 14.57 in
Scandinavian 'Krobo' Bench in Rosewood by Torbjørn Afdal for Mellemstrands
By Torbjørn Afdal, Mellemstrands Trevareindustri
Located in Karlstad, SE
"Krobo" bench by Torbjørn Afdal for Mellemstrands Trevareindustri, Norway. The bench is made of solid wood with thick rosewood vaneer. It can be used in many ways, for example as a...
Wood
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.16 in W 15.75 in D 11.82 in
Jaguar Coffee and Cocktail Table by Mario López Torres
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in CABA, AR
Presenting an exceptional Jaguar coffee table, masterpiece by Mario López Torres that transcend functionality to become captivating wicker-woven sc...
Rattan
Primitive Rustic Minimal Italian Wooden Bench Stool Side Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian rustic primitive country wooden bench, with typical legs in original aged natural color giving the rich and beautiful patina that makes it look wonderful in every i...
Wood
Ward Bennett Scissor Chair Ottoman/ Stool
By Ward Bennett
Located in Highland, IN
This rare piece designed by Ward Bennett for Geiger is the matching ottoman for his chrome framed Scissor chair, but it functions equally well as a stand-alone piece. It has a strong...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
$1,000
H 22.25 in W 23 in D 16 in
Vintage Boho Wicker Rattan Elephant Side Table Style of Mario Lopez Torres 1970s
By Mario Torres
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
1970s Vintage Boho Figurative Animalia Wicker Rattan elephant side tray table in the style of Mario Lopez Torres. This Animalia vintage 1960s-19...
Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
Modern End Table, The Torre
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Please scroll down to read IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT OUR STUMPS before purchase! Why buy BERTU HOME stumps? KILN DRIED Our stumps all go through a drying process in our k...
Maple
$5,383
H 19.69 in W 39.38 in D 11.82 in
Aluminium and Tree Trunk Bench Signed by Hilla Shamia Design Studio
By Hilla Shamia
Located in Paris, FR
"Wood Casting": one bench (or side table) made of aluminium and tree trunk (Cyprès). Because of her fabrication technique, each piece is unique. Hilla Shamia Design Studio: Hilla Shamia has the IP rights on a method of the creation of unique art or furniture combining cast aluminium and wood: Wood castingTM. 2015. Dimension: 100 x 30...
Wood
Pair of Danish Teak Mid-Century Modern Flip Top Tables Suede Benches
By Arne Norell, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Danish Mid-Century Modern teak tops side tables flipping to suede upholstery benches.
Suede, Teak
Vintage Coyote Bench by Mario Lopez Torres, 1970s
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Coronado, CA
A vintage Coyote Bench by Mario Lopez Torres, hand crafted in Mexico in the 1970s. This anthropomorphic bench is crafted of woven reed over a metal frame and features copper eyes and...
Metal, Copper
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Stool Iron Structure
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Stool Iron Structure, made in iron. The structure is quite solid and can be used for sittin...
Iron
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Stool
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Stool, made in natural woven and iron structure, the eyes are made in precious stone.
Iron
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Petite Stool
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Petite Stool, made in natural woven and iron structure, the eyes are made in precious stone.
Iron
Mario Lopez Torres Copper Coyote Structure
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Mario Lopez Torres Iron Coyote sculpture structure, originally made in natural woven we have found only the structure, that ...
Iron
Pair of Coyote and Jaguar Benches by Mario Lopez Torres 1974
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Pair of vintage animal benches by folk artist Mario Lopez Torres. Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan, Mexico, circa 1970s-early 1980s. Hand formed and hand woven. Fu...
Reed
Sold
H 31.75 in W 33 in D 19.5 in
Mario Lopez Torres Coyote Bench, Mid-Century Modern Woven Reed & Copper, Mexico
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Miami, FL
Mario Lopez Torres Coyote Bench, Mid-Century Modern Woven Reed & Copper, Mexico Offered for sale is a Mexican Mid-Century Modern woven reed and copper bench attributed to Mario Lopez Torres. Although unsigned, this wonderful, whimsical bench...
Copper
Mario Lopez Torres Dog Sculpture in Woven Reed and Copper
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Mario Lopez Torres woven reed and copper dog bench or sculpture. This example utilizes reeds picked from the marshes of Ihuatzio Mexico that are then dried a...
Copper
Mario Lopez Torres Wicker Coyote Bench with Copper Accents
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Astoria, NY
A sculptural bench by artist Mario Lopez Torres, produced in Mexico, circa 1970s, designed as a coyote, crafted of woven wicker, the eyes teeth and tongue in copper. Includes the art...
Copper
Sold
H 31.25 in W 35 in D 14 in
Vintage 1970s Mario Lopez Torres Wicker Copper Coyote Ottoman Sculpture
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Early Iconic Coyote Sculpture by this Prolific Mexican Artist/Sculptor.